Policeman in the dock over ‘I love weed’ hat

A POLICE officer who allegedly wore a hat with the slogan ‘I love weed’ while on patrol will face disciplinary action.

PC Simon Ryan is accused of putting on the black woollen cap while on duty and continuing to wear it even after being asked to remove it.

The experienced officer, who has served for more than a decade, is to appear before North Yorkshire Police’s first public disciplinary hearing. The new type of hearing has a lawyer as its chairman rather than a senior officer and is open to the public.

The force alleges that PC Ryan’s conduct amounted to a breach of the Standards of Professional Behaviour. Last night friends said he was an exemplary officer who had worn the hat as a joke. One colleague, who asked not to be named, said: ‘Simon is level-headed and sensible, an excellent cop who has amassed loads of experience working in the Northallerton area, and one that you want to have working alongside you.

‘It’s a great pity it was felt necessary to hold a disciplinary hearing over allegations which appear to amount to high spirits.’ The hearing will start on Monday. Home Secretary Theresa May announced last year that such procedures would be held in public to improve openness and accountability and raise public confidence.